Hydro-electric smelting-furnace.



A. TOMMASINI.

HYDRO-ELECTRIC SMELTING FURNACE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1912.

Patented Dec. 31, 1912.-

4 SHEET SSHEET l.

Inventor Attorneys A. TOMMASINI.

HYDRO-ELECTRIC SMBLTING FURNACE.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 1, 1912.

Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Attorneys Inventor A. TOMMASINI.

HYDRO-ELECTRIC SMELTING FURNACE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1912.

1 ,O48,-603, Patented B60131, 1.912.

4 SHEETSSHEBT 3.

Attorneys flizfwzl'a flirzz/mqz'zz ll by I/ I Ii 1' A. TOMMASINI.

HYDRO-ELECTRIC SMELTING FURNACE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1, 1912.

1,048,603, I Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

4 SHEET SSHEET 4.

Witnesses Inventor Attorneys UNITED; STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANTONIO TOIIASIHI, OI YORK, N. Ya, ASBIGNOB OF ONE-HALF TO. E. THORNTON, OF HICKORY, NORTH CAROLINA.

v surmise-romance.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Arz'mmo a citizen of the UnitedStates residing at Brooklyn, New York city, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have lnvented a new and useful Hydro-Electric Smelting-Furnace, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a smelting or reducing' furna'ce for the purpose of smelting or reducing iron ores, or other metallic In this furnaoeiron ore intimately mixed with properfluxes is continuously agitated in the resen'ceof highly heated hydrogen; the by rogen gives up a portion of its eat to the ore mixture and thereby brings it up to the temperature of reaction; the molten iron and slag resulting from reaction flow into a'crucible or reheater in which the iron is kept: hot byelectric currents induced therein, and the gaseous products of the reaction, consisting chiefiy of hydrogen and water, vapor and steam, are passed through a condenser thereby condensing the steam andvapor and conveying the hydrogen back to the holder.

The hydrogen performs the double function of a reducing agent and heat carrier to the charge of ore and the' flux and the sur roundingjcontainer. This heat 'is imparted to thehydrogen in a specially devised furnace to be subsequently-described. Therefore, this hydro-electric furnace is devised toemploy electricity asthe heating agent,

and hydrogen as the reducing or chemical agent. I I

' This hydro-electric furnace consists essentially of a rotatable inclined tubular hearth communicating at its upper end with suitable bins containingthe ore and the fluxes, and a condenser-for retrieving the hydrogen; and at its lower end communicating with a crucible or reheater for receiving the molten metal and slag from the hearth, and

. with an arc furnace for heating hydrogen before it reaches the hearth.

With the foregoingandother'objects' in view as will appear as the description proceeds,'the invention amides in the combination and arrangement of nartsland' in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that Specification of Letters Patent. mman fled August 1, 1912. Serial Io. 712,741.

- cha Touuasmr,

Patented Dec. 31, 1,912.

tion erein osed canbe made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

' In the drawings: Figure 1 1sa side elevation of the furnace showing portions thereof in section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper end of the tubular hearth through which enters the charge from'the bins and exits'the gaseous products of reaction to the condenser. Fig. '3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the lower end of the hearth,; the receiving crucible or reheater, and the arc furnace which heats the hydrogen gas. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the re-heater and adjacent portion of the hearth. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the elastic cylinder used in making a gas tight joint between the revolving and the stationary elements of this furnace.

The charge of ore and fluxing material in the bin 2, sup orted uponsuitable frame work 1, passes t rough the hopper 3 into the chute 5, then through the casing 10 carrying the gas tight joint 10, into the 'tubular hearth A. The hearth is composed s in the recise embodiment of invert-- of the metallic cylindrical shell 13 lined with a refractory material 14, and .is so mounted that it rotates about an inclined axis. By virtue of this rotation about an inclined axis the charge is moved and agitated toward the lower end of the hearth A. The hydrogen gas is heated in the arc furnace 22 to such a high temperature as and for the purpose of which will presently appear, that when it reaches the charge in the hearth it gives tip-a portion of its heat to the charge and surrounding hearth and thus their temperature is raised 'to the temperature of reaction. In this reaction the hydrogen combines with the oxygen of the ore to form super-heated steam and thereby setting the iron free in the form of molten ironi The impurities of the ore combine with the fluxesto form molten slags. In this reaction a chemical equilibrium takes place before "all the hydogen has combined,

so that much uncombined hydrogen will pass .out of the hearth with the super-heated steam.- To retrieve the hydrogen the. gaseous products of the reaction pass from the hearth into a receiveror reservoir '7 where the steam is-condensed and the hydrogen passes-back to the holder. The-molten iron and slags pass from the hearth A through the gas tight joint 15 17 into the crucible or 're heater 19 where ,the molten iron. is kept hotby electric currents induced there'- in, as will be described. In the hearth the movement of the charge is so timed that the reaction takes place in the lower quarter of its length, and the reaction must be complete-before reaching the lower end of hearth A. Under no c1rcumstances,must any of the charge enter the re-heater 19. The hydrogen is heated in a separate furnace 22' shown 'for convenience above the re-heater, in which is caused to be established and maintained a long electric are, around and coming .incontact with which passes the hydrogen gas before admission to the hearth, thereby acquiring a very high temperature.

It is desirable that. the hydrogen gas should be super-heated, the prefix super serving to indicate that the hydrogen is heated above the melting pgint of the metal used in the smelting operation as for in? stance taking it for granted that 2700 Fahr., will melt .iron, the charge of iron entering the hearth at the temperature of the surrounding air or approximately-at 60 Fahr., it being necessary =that the charge of iron be heated to 2700- Fahin, and in order to accomplish this, the hydroen gas must be heated to a temperature ar in excess of 2700 Fahr., or roughly speaking, 6500 F ahr. Thus when the super-heated hydrogen gas comes in contact with the charge of iron at 60 Fahn, heat is given to the charge, thereby raising its temperature to 2700 Fahn, and at the same time the hydrogen gas hy reason of having given up its heat to the charge, will be cooled down irom6500". to 2700 Fahr.

The charge passes from the bin 2 through the hopper 3, through the gate or valve 4, through the chute 5 which passes through the casing mine) the upper end of the hearth A. The casing 10 is carried by the conduit-9 which is supported by the rollers on rails 9. The casing 10 carries the lower half of the chute 5, and also carries an elastic cylinder 10 which carries a planed flan e andv keeps it in contact with and sliding upon the planed face 60f the end frame of the hearth A. This construction facilitates the moving away of casing 10 from the end of hearth A and allows admission thereinfsfor inspection and repairs.

In Fig. 3 is shown on a large scale and in detail section the hydrogen heating furnace 22 and the crucible or re-heater 19. The heating furnace 22 iscomposed of a tubular chamber having a fixed electrode 41 in the insulating-bushing 39, this" electrode bei'ng sit-uated at the discharge end of the chamber; and a movable electrode at A and the furnace. 22 at 23-.

26 carried bythe piston 27 of a pneumatic or hydraulic engine 25 situated at the inlet end of thegchamben The inlet end .of the chamber 22. is capped or surmounted by a and said valve 32 is operably' connected to .the electro-ma et 34' which is controlled directly or indirectly by the current flowing through the main circuit 37--38.

When the circuit in 37--38 is broken, the electro-magnet 34 releases the valve 32 which moves so as to admit pressure to the cylinder and to cause the piston 27 to move the rod 26 toward the fixed/electrode 24:

and thereby establish a contact between the electrodes. When circuit-37-38 is closed,

electric current is established therein, andthis current directly or indirectly excites the electro-magnet 34 to move the valve 32 'so as to admit pressure to the other side of piston 27 and thereby cause said piston 27 to carry the electrode on end of rod 26 away from fixed electrode 41 thereby establishing the arc. Should the arc break for any reason, the above-described cycle of opera tion will automatically insure and thereby reestablish the arc.

The crucible or re-heater 19 serves to receive the molten metal and slag resulting from the reaction; and also to maintain by electrical means the temperature of the molten metal atany desired temperature, as will be explained. The crucible or reheater 19' consists of an: annular compartment 20 communicating with the hearth A Interlinked with this compartment 20 is the laminated iron ring 42 which in turn is linked with the coil or solenoid 43. The bottom of the annular compartment 20 consists of a V-shaped annular trough '21 for reasons which will presently appear. When the 'end of hearth A. The valve 32 controls the molten. metalpasses from hearth A into the crucible 19 it falls into the V-shaped annular trough 21 of the compartment 20, and flowing around will form a ring of molten metal. This r' of molten metal will; link with the iron rmg 42 and thereby be inductively related to the exciting or primary coil 43., When an alternating current of electricity flo'ws incoil 43 it causes to be established aperiodic magnet. flux in the ring 42; which eriodic flux will induce electric currents 1n the molten metalring It is important that these seconda varying the intensity 'of'these in need currents by means of variation of the current flowing in the coil 43 any desired temperature can be maintained in the molten metal.

or induced currents in the molten, metal made to take place as soon as possible after the molten metal leaves the,hearth' A; and ,to bring this about it important that'the.

molten metal, flows around and forms a.

closed ring in the trough 21 as soon as possible' after having entered the re-heater 19. The V-shaped trough 21 of the compartment 20 -allows a ring of molten metal toio'rm with a very small cross. section, and consequently with only asmall uantity of metal ;.and the the molten. metal to orm'aclosed ring-with only a small quantity of metal, will there'- by allow this ring to formas early faspos+ sible after the molten metal starts "to enter the re-heater; and as the induced electric currents are established immediately upon the formation of'this closed ring, and as it is lain that the V-sha trough 21 expe ites the formation 0 this molten metal rin it follows'that the v v shaped trough 21 is t e means of allowing heat t6 be supplied to the molten metal at as early as possible a momentlafter the molten metal enters the crucible or re-heater 19,--this'heat-being supplied ,as above described by electrical means. a 1" The joints between rotating and fixed members of this furnace are gas tight, and

this condition-is obtained by means of the.

elastic cylinder 15 .which turns with the hearth A and the hollow metallic frame 16 which isbuilt into and forms an opening to crucible 19. The elastic cylinder'1scomposed of a series of metallic rings which are frustums of very flat cones and rivedted together as shown in Fig. 5. One end of this elastic cylinderis attached to the shell of the hearth and the other end terminates in a ring with a planed face. This ring abuts against and slides upon a corresponding planed face on the hollow frame 16. Any relative displacement between rotating and fixed members of this furnace, due to changes of temperature or other causes, is compensated for by corresponding changes in the length of the elastic cylinder 15 and thereby any separation between rotating and fixed members is prevented and the permanency of gas tight joint accomplished.

The crucible or re-heater 19 is mounted upon a frame C by means of the arch B. The frame C is carried by rollers 44 which rest upon the rails 45. The rails 45 are slightly inclined to insure a tendency on the V'-sha ed trough y allowing partiof the re-heater to move toward the earth. The jack screws'40 serve .to move the re-heater away from hearth to allow'of inspection 'and repairs inhearth and .reheater.

No form of rotating means :for rotating the tubular hearth A has been shown, such construction being well known and the means for"rotating the same being. a necessary adjunct.

The application covering the process of hydro-electricsmelting efiected by this apparatus, isthe-subject matter of a copending application filed even date herewith, Serial No. 712,742. What is claimed is:--

1. In a smelting furnace, thecembinatio'n of a reheater or crucible, an. electrically heated hydrogen supplying furnace in communication therewith, a rotatably mounted tubular hearth in communication with the re-heater, a charging meansfor supplying ore to the hearth, and a hydrogen retriever in communication with the charging end of v the hearth. Y '2..The combination with a hearth, and a re-heater or crucible, of a column in commuhydrogen to the re-heater and hearth, electrodes mounted in said column for heating the hydrogen supplied therethrough to a nication with said re-heater for supplying temperature above thatrequired to, meltthe ore charge, and a hydrogen retriever-at the opposite end. of the hearth from the reheater. for retrieving the hydrogen passing through the hearth.

3.. The combination with a rotatably mounted and inclined tubular hearth, a

charging means connected to the upper end thereof, and 'a re-heater mounted at the lower end of the hearth, of means for supplying heated hydrogen to the reheater and hearth, and means for retrieving thesurplus hydro-' gen after passing through the hearth.

4. The combination with a rotatably mounted and inclined tubular hearth, means for charging the upper end of said hearth, and a re-heater mounted'at the lower end of said hearth, of means for supplying hydrogen to the re-heater and hearth, means for producing an electric are within the current .of hydrogen passing through said supplying means, as the hydrogen is permitted to How through the re-heater and hearth, and means for retrieving the surplus hydrogen after passing through the hearth.

5. The combination with a rotatably mounted and inclined tubular hearth, charging means connected to the upper end thereof, and a re-heater mounted at the lower end of said hearth, of means for supplying heated hydrogen to the 're-heater and hearth,

and means for retrieving the hydrogen that failed to react and for condensing the steam caused by the action of the heated hydrogen uponthe charge inthe hearth after the passcommunication with the re-heater, means for" ing thereof through the hearth. I f '6. The .:'combination with a rotatably mounted andinclined tubular hearth, a reheater into which the lower end of said hearth empties, and means for supplying ore agent to the re-heaterand hearth, said means having a vertically disposed conducting column with a channel therethrough and in supplying hydrogen to the upper end of said column and to the re-heater and hearth, and

a 'pair of coacting electrodes disposed within the channel of the column for producing an electric arc therein.

7. The combination with a rotatably *mounted'and inclined tubular hearth, a rehaving a vertically disposed conducting col-- umn with a channel therethrough and in communication with the re-heater, means for supplying hydrogen to the upper end of said column and to the re-heater and hearth, a pair of electrodes disposed within the channel of the column for producing an electric arc therein, one of said-electrodes being movable with relation to the other, and means for moving the same to make and break the connection with the fixed electrode to produce an electric are within the column.

8.The combination with an electrically heated' crucible, a rotatably and inclinedly mounted hearth operably disposed with relation thereto and having its lower end emptying into-said crucible, and means for charging said hearth disposed at the upper end thereof, of electrically operated mechanism for supplying heated hydrogen to and through said crucible and hearth.

9. The combination with an electrically heated crucible, a rotatably and inclinedly mounted hearth operably disposed with relation thereto and having its lower end emptying into said crucible, and means for charging said hearth disposed at the upper end thereof, of an electric furnace for heating and directing hydrogen to and through said crucibleand hearth, and means for retrieving the hydrogen that failed to react during its passage through the hearth.

10. The combination with an electrically heated crucible, a rotatably and inclinedly mounted hearth operatively disposed with relation thereto and havingits'lower end emptying into said crucible, and means for charging said hearth disposed at the upper end thereof, of an electric furnace for heat-'- ing and directing hydrogen to and through said crucible and into the lower end of the retrieving means.

communication with said crucible,

charging end of the hearth for receiuing the hydrogen passing therefrom."

11. The combination with an electrically heated crucible, a rotatably and inclinedly mounted hearth operably disposed with relation thereto and -havin'g its lower end emptying into said crucible, and means for charging said hearth disposed at the upper end thereof, of an electric furnace for heating and directin :hydrogen to and through said crucible an into the'lower endof the hearth, a conduit leading from the'charging end of the hearth, means for retrieving the hydrogen passing therefrom, and a supply conduit for the! furnace leading from the 12. The combination with an annular crucible or re-heater, means for electrically heating the same, an inclined tubular and rotatable hearth having its lower end in communication with said crucible," and means for charging said'hearth disposed at the upper end thereof, of means for supplying hydrogen to the crucible and hearth, comprising a chamber in communication with the crucible, means for supplying hydrogen to said chamber, a stationary-electrode mounted within said chamber, a movable electrode disposed for-coactive operation with said stationary electrode to produce an are within the chamber, and means for actuating said movable electrode to form connection and an arc with relation to the stationary electrode.

13. The combination with an annular crucible or re-heater, means for electrically heating the same, an inclined'tubular and rotatable .hearth having its lower end ig means for charging said hearth disposed-at the upper end thereof, of means for supplying hydrogen to the crucible and hearth, comprising a chamber in communication with the crucible, means for supplying hydrogen to said chamber, a stationary electrode mounted within said chamber, a movable electrode disposed for co-active operation with said stationary electrode to produce an arc within the chamber, means for actuating said movable electrode to form connection and anarc with relation to the stationary electrode, and means for retrieving the hydrogen passing through the with the crucible, means for supplying hydrogen to said chamber, a stationary elee trode mounted within said chamber, a movable-electrode disposed for co-active operation with said stationary electrode to produce an arc within the-chamber, means for actuating said movable electrode to form connection and an arc with relation to the rotatable hearth, having its lower end in communication with said crucible, and means for charging said hearth disposed .at the upper end thereof, of means for supplying hydrogen to the crucible and hearth, comprising a chamber in communication with the crucible, means for supplying hydrogen to said chamber, a stationary electrode mounted within said chamber, a mov able electrode disposed for co active opera tion with said stationary electrode to produce an are within the chamber, means for actuating said movable electrode to form connectionland an arc with relation to the stationary electrode, pneumatically operated means for actuating said movable electrode, and means for retrieving the hydrogen after passage through the hearth. 16. The combination with an annular cru-' cible or re-heater, means for electrically heating the same, an inclined tubular and rotatable hearth having its lower. endv in communication with said crucible, and means for charging said hearth dis osed at the upper end thereof, of means or supplying hydrogen to the crucible and hearth, comprising a chamber in communication with the-crucible, means for supplying hydrogen to said chamber, a stationary electrode mounted within said chamber, a movable electrode disposed for co active operation with said stationary electrode to pro-- duce an are within the chamber, means for actuating said movable. electrode to form connectionfi'and anarc with relation to the stationary electrode, a cylinder, a piston mounted in said cylinder and operably connected to the movableelectrode, and a valve for controlling the passage of a motive'fluid V to said cylinder for actuating the piston and movable electrode. v

17. The combination with'an annular crucible or re-heater, means for electrically heating the same, a-n inclined tubular and rotatable hearth having its lower end in communication with said crucible, and means for charging said hearthdisposed at the upper end thereof, of means for supplying hydrogen to the crucible and hearth, comprising a chamber in communication with the crucible, means for supplying hydrogen to said chamber, a stationary electrode mounted within said chamber, a movable electrode disposed for co-acti've opera tion with said stationary electrode to produce an are within the chamber, means for actuating said movable electrode to form connection and an arc with relation to the stationaryelectrode, a cylinder a piston mounted in said cylinder and operably c onnete'dto the movable electrode, a valve for controlling the passage of a motive fluid to said cylinder for actuating the piston and movable electrode, and means for retrieving the hydrogen after passage through the hearth'.' I

- The-combination with an annular cru- .-cible or re-he'ater, means for electrically heating the same, an inclined tubular and rotatable hearth having its lower end in communication with said crucible, and means for charging said hearth dis osed at the upper end thereof, of means or supplying hydrogen to the crucible and hearth, comprising a chamber in communication with the crucible, means for supplying hydro en to said chamber, a stationary electro e mounted within said chamber, a mov: able electrode disposed for co-active opera- ;tion with said stationary electrode, to produce an are within the chamber, means for actuating said movable electrode to form connection and an arc with relation to the means for controlling the movable electrode a valve for controlling the admission of pressure fluid to operate the movable electrode, and electro-magnetically operated means for actuatin said valve.

19. The combination with an annular crucible or re-haeater, means for electrically heating the same, 'an inclined tubular and rotatable hearth having its lower end in means for charging said hearth disposed at the upper end thereof, of means for supplying hydrogen tothe crucible and hearth, comprising a chamber in communication with the crucible, means for supplying hydrogen to said chamber,-a stationary electrode mounted within said chamber, a movable electrode disposed for co-active operation with said stationary electrodeto'produce an are within the chamber, means for actuating said movable electrode to form connectionv and an arc with relation to the stationary electrode, e'lectro-fluid actuated means for controlling the movable elec trode, a valve for controlling the admission of pressurefluid to operate the. movable electrode, electro-magnetically operated means for actuating said valve, and

'means for retrieving the hydrogen after passage'through the hearth, I

20; The combination with a rotatably mounted and inclined tubular hearth, 'means mounted at the upperend thereof for chargstationary electrode, electro-fluid actuated communication with said crucible, and

I ing said hearth, a re-heater or crucible into which the lower end of the hearth'discharges, of means for moving the re-heater or-icruclble toward and away from the discharge end of the hearth, and means for supp ying hydrogen to the crucible and hearth bodily carried 'by the re-heater or crucible.

.21. In a smelting furnace, the combination of a reheater or crucible, an electrically heated hydrogen supplying furnace in communication therewith, a rotatably mounted tubular hearth in communication with the .reheater, a charging means for sup ilying ore to the hearth, a hydrogen gas receiver 15 in communication with the charging end of the hearth, and a steam condenser alsoin communication with the charging end 'of the hearth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing '20 as my own, I have hereto aflixed my slgnature in the presence of two witnesses.

ANTONIO TOMMA SINI. 1 Witnesses:

S. MCLAREN,

ERNEST ARMSTRONG. 

